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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 1st January, 2025
1. Tinubu Told Me He Did Not Know The Economy Was This Bad – Akpabio
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has recounted a conversation with President Bola Tinubu about the state of the economy inherited from the previous administration.
Naija News reports that Akpabio, speaking at his 2024 Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State, said the country was on life support when Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
According to Akpabio, Tinubu told him he was unaware that the economy was in a bad state.
Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, called on Nigerians, particularly the people of Akwa Ibom State, to continue supporting President Tinubu as he works to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The Senate President expressed optimism about ongoing economic reforms, noting that while they may be painful, they are necessary for sustainable growth.
2. ‘Stop Being Mischievous, I’m Only Giving You Candid Advice To Avoid Bad Policies’ – Gov Mohammed Replies Presidency On Tax Reform Bills
The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has countered the allegation from the presidency that he is stirring up anarchy against the government of President Bola Tinubu over the Tax Reform Bills.
Governor Mohammed, in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, said he is only giving candid advice on the dangers of proceeding with bad decisions or policies.
Naija News recalls the Bauchi Governor had described the Tax Reform Bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration as anti-North and a threat to the unity of Nigeria.
In response, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, on Monday, said the statements coming from the Bauchi State Governor are unbecoming of his office and public status.
The presidential media aide urged Governor Mohammed to focus on resolving the developmental and poverty challenges in his state rather than issuing threats against President Bola Tinubu or making inflammatory statements against the government and President Tinubu and urged him to retract his words.
Reacting to the statement from the presidency, Governor Mohammed on Tuesday, said he was only giving advice based on his closeness to the people and an understanding of what the people want.
On the allegation of a high poverty rate in Bauchi, the Governor’s aide said the position of the presidency is both misleading and unfair.
3. FG Reassures Niger Republic Of Non-Aggression, Seeks Dialogue
The Federal Government has reaffirmed it’s commitment to peace, stability, and regional harmony in West Africa.
The assurance follows a recent statement by the President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland of Niger, Abdourahman Tchiani, who claimed that Nigeria was colluding with France to destabilise his country.
Speaking via a statement in Tuesday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, promised that Nigeria remains steadfast in its desire for dialogue which are the cornerstones of sustainable solutions.
He noted that Nigeria has no plans to embark on any actions that would undermine the sovereignty and security of Niger as alleged by Tchiani.
According to the Minister, Nigeria and Niger share deep historical and cultural ties, underscored by trade and economic interdependence.
4. 2025: Don’t Allow Those In Government To Wield Unchecked Powers – Atiku Sends New Year Message To Nigerians
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has told Nigerians to hold public office holders more accountable in the year 2025.
Atiku, said the new year does not only represent a passage of time, but a new chapter of opportunities.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, in a personally signed message made available to Naija News on Tuesday, said every Nigerian must closely observe the actions and decisions of political officeholders in the year 2025 and ensure they don’t exploit the opportunity of public office.
He also appreciated God for the opportunity granted to Nigerians to witness another year.
Atiku observed that Nigerians faced a difficult 2024 but noted that the experiences should not hinder a positive outlook for 2025.
5. Despite Fulani Leaders Plea, Bello Turji Launches Fresh Attacks
Notorious and wanted bandit terrorist leader Bello Turji has reportedly resumed violent activities along the Shinkafi road in Zamfara State, defying recent pleas from senior Fulani leaders to abandon his threats.
Intelligence Sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that Turji and his men have been targeting travelers and communities along the road, causing widespread panic and disrupting movement in the area.
The attacks come just few hours after top Fulani leaders from Shinkafi, Moriki, and Zurmi met with Turji to urge him to reconsider his plans for violence and to lift his blockade of the Shinkafi-Gusau road.
During the meeting, the leaders appealed for calm and implored Turji to abandon his plans for abductions and killings, particularly in Zamfara and neighboring Sokoto State.
They also urged him to release his grip on critical routes to ensure the free movement of people and goods.
However, Turji gave no guarantees during the meeting, and it now appears that their efforts were unsuccessful.
6. 2025: Don’t Bother To Make New Year Address If You Don’t Have Solutions To The Problems Of Nigeria – PDP Tells President Tinubu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to prefer solutions to the challenges of hunger, insecurity, high fuel cost, and other challenges facing Nigerians.
The PDP said if the President has no clear-cut solution to the challenges, he shouldn’t bother with a 2025 New Year message for the citizens.
The major opposition party made the submission in a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in which it held that the past addresses by President Tinubu have been full of hopeless rhetorics.
The party challenged President Tinubu to find solutions to the challenges of insecurity, resuscitate the economy, create jobs, ensure credible elections and guarantee better living standards for Nigerians.
It also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of being insensitive to the pains of Nigerians.
The PDP accused the ruling party of feeding their luxurious lifestyles from public funds while Nigerians continue to bear the pains of a mismanaged economy.
The PDP, however, congratulated Nigerians on the dawning of the year 2025 and urged them not to lose hope in the expectation for a better Nigeria.
7. Bello Turji A ‘Dead Man Walking’ – Military Declares
The Nigerian military has described wanted terrorist commander, Bello Turji, as a “dead man walking,” following his recent threats to attack communities in Zamfara State if his brother and other detained associates are not released.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the military high command on Wednesday, addressing Turji’s ultimatum and ongoing concerns about security operations in the region.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, who made this known, said, “From January till date, 31st December 2024, over 1,000 terrorist leaders and commanders as well as their replacements have been eliminated in our operations. We assure you that a similar fate awaits others, including Bello Turji.
For those disputing the Christmas Day bombing of the Lakurawas terrorist group’s enclaves and killing of their collaborators, he said: “This is what I will say. The first casualty of war is the truth. It is always the first casualty. So it shouldn’t be surprising when terrorists or their collaborators are saying things contrary to what really happened, to what we say.”
8. Shehu Sani Proposes Law To Tackle Budget Padding, Doubts Lawmakers’ Willingness
Civil rights activist and former senator, Shehu Sani, has proposed the enactment of a law to prevent lawmakers from tampering with budgets presented by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as a measure to curb budget padding.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Sani stated, “The only way to stop budget padding is to make a law that prohibits lawmakers from tampering with budgets presented by MDAs.”
However, he expressed scepticism about the feasibility of such legislation, adding, “…but I don’t know who will make that law or how it can even pass the first reading.”
Sani’s comments come ahead of the Appropriations Committee’s scheduled meeting with the Minister of Finance, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and the Director-General of the Budget Office.
The meeting, set for Tuesday, January 7, 2025, aims to address concerns raised during budget preparations.
Additionally, the budget defence sessions between Appropriations Sub-committees and relevant MDAs are slated to begin on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, and run through January 15.
9. Odili: We Are Aware Of How You Betrayed Jonathan And His Wife After You Were Appointed As Minister – Timi Frank Knocks Wike
A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has condemned the attacks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili.
Naija News reports that Odili had praised Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State for preventing Wike from turning the state into his private property.
Reacting during a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Oro-Igwe/Eliogbolo Archdeaconry Church of the Holy Spirit, Eliozu Parish, Port Harcourt, Wike referred to Odili as an “ingrate” and “rent seeker.”
Reacting to the feud between the politicians in a statement on Tuesday, Frank said Wike has again exhibited his true character of betraying his friends and benefactors.
He claimed that Wike betrayed the likes of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience Jonathan.
10. ‘We Will Give You The Opportunity’ – PDP Woos Kwankwaso Back To Opposition Camp
Nigeria’s principal opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has announced its intention to engage the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to encourage his return to the party that played a pivotal role in his political ascent.
In a recent interview with the BBC, PDP acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun, addressed the former Kano State Governor’s recent remarks declaring the PDP as “dead” and incapable of achieving future success.
Damagun underscored the PDP’s openness to welcoming back all former members, including Senator Kwankwaso.
He expressed that Kwankwaso’s comments were somewhat unfair, as the NNPP chieftain had previously secured political victories while affiliated with the PDP.
The acting chairman further asserted that the PDP has maintained its strength over 26 years, continuing to operate under the same name and boasting a presence of governors and senators from all regions of Nigeria.
He contended that even if four other parties were to merge, they would still fall short of the PDP’s formidable strength.
In response to Kwankwaso’s assertions regarding his marginalization within the PDP, which led him to reject any intentions of collaborating with the party for the 2027 elections, Damagun acknowledged that several of Kwankwaso’s concerns were indeed legitimate.
He elaborated that during Kwankwaso’s initial attempts to depart from the PDP, he, as the party’s deputy national chairman for the North at the time, made considerable efforts to address the issues but ultimately could not achieve a resolution.
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